Happisburgh

1/7/15

Camping in the warm and dry is so simple. We packed and left our view of a potato field in bloom and joined the NCN 30 for more quiet inland lanes.

Our first stop was Felbrigg Hall and we were delighted to be able to cycle into the west entrance and leave to the east. All estates should allow cycles to pass through like this- thank you National Trust.

William Frederick Windham, heir to the estate, was slightly eccentric and caused mayhem by dressing up in various official uniforms. That alone would not be a problem but he then went on to fulfill the role of the uniform causing confusion with random whistle blowing at railway stations and alarm when arresting women of ill repute while dressed as a policeman.

This National Trust house was really well organised - we were allowed to wander through the rooms at our own pace with a little booklet of key facts about each room - these were then returned to be reused. There was free ice cold water, large portions of ice cream and a fabulous walled garden.

On to Cromer to get fuel for the camping stoves. I always get a cautious look in shops when I ask for methylated spirit and I have to be quick to explain what it is for.

We stopped at Stow mill at Paston which has been lovingly restored. It is increasingly difficult to see windmills as they were when many are being bought up and converted into ensuite bedrooms for expensive holiday lets.

Wherever you look in Norfolk there seems to be a church on the horizon, it is no suprise that it has the highest concentration in the World with 650 medieval churches in the county. We headed for the flint towered church in Happisburgh (what is it about Norfolk and the pronunciation of towns?) and pitched a safe distance from the crumbling cliff with a good view of sea and lighthouse to keep Sue happy!